Entry-Level Actuary Salary in O'Fallon, IL: $75,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the O'Fallon, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,233 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out O'Fallon's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,480 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,912) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as an actuary in O'Fallon, Illinois, the entry-level actuary salary begins at around $75,233 in 2026, which is notable when compared to the city's overall median salary of $126,912. This indicates a significant gap that new graduates should be prepared for as they enter the job market. Over the first few years, there is a solid growth trajectory; as actuaries gain experience and credentials, they can expect to see their salaries move up to approximately $93,019 at the 25th percentile. With the local market evolving and a projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, O'Fallon offers a reasonable environment for recent graduates to establish their careers.
About the O'Fallon Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in O'Fallon
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in O'Fallon
Entry-level actuarys in O'Fallon, IL typically start between $75,233 and $93,019 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,481 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,912 — 5.4% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 90.39% of the starting actuary pay ($75,233/year) in O'Fallon. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition at public and private universities, plus estimated actuarial exam fees and study materials. Employers often cover exam costs once employed.
ASA, FSA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in O'Fallon
- 1Research the O'Fallon market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $75,233 to $93,019, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the actuarial science field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in O'Fallon, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in O'Fallon for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5O'Fallon's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in O'Fallon is $121,481 ( 161.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,233, experienced hygienists can earn up to $196,714.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,179
2025 BLS Actual
$72,900
2026 Current Est.
$75,233
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in O'Fallon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,179 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,265 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,695 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,581 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,640 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in O'Fallon, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,179 in 2019 to $72,900 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,640. New graduates entering the O'Fallon job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the O'Fallon metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your actuarial science Career in O'Fallon
In terms of opportunities for new grads looking to enter the actuarial field in O'Fallon, key employers include major life insurers like Prudential and Northwestern Mutual, which are known for creating structured programs that assist students in passing required exams. Additionally, health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Aon and Mercer value candidates with actuarial science degrees and relevant credentials. Obtaining a bachelor's degree in fields like math or finance is a starting point, but pursuing certification through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) is essential for long-term salary growth. Specifically, each passed exam can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to one's base salary, making exam progression a critical strategy for enhancing new grad actuary pay in IL. Realistically, graduates can expect salary growth in their first three years, moving closer to the median as they achieve necessary credentials and potentially secure positions in firms that pay a premium for advanced qualifications.
More salary data for O'Fallon, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new actuarial science graduates. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in O'Fallon. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for O'Fallon is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov